Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET
Venue: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Broadcast: Arizona Sports / Space City Home Network / NBA League Pass
Venue Context
Footprint Center is a high‑pace, offense‑friendly arena, offering:
Strong perimeter shooting sightlines
Elevated scoring efficiency for Phoenix’s guards
A crowd that boosts the Suns’ tempo and transition game
This environment slightly favors Phoenix, but Houston’s elite defense and physicality travel well.
Injury Report
Houston Rockets
Houston enters the matchup with several rotation concerns:
Alperen Şengün — OUT (ankle)
Jalen Green — Day‑to‑day (hip)
Amen Thompson — OUT (wrist)
Dillon Brooks — Day‑to‑day (illness)
Tari Eason — OUT (leg)
The Rockets are missing their starting center and two key defenders, but their guard core remains intact.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix is also dealing with significant injuries:
Kevin Durant — OUT (hamstring)
Devin Booker — Day‑to‑day (ankle)
Bradley Beal — OUT (back)
Jusuf Nurkić — OUT (knee)
Grayson Allen — Day‑to‑day (foot)
The Suns are without their top two scorers and their starting center, leaving heavy responsibility on role players.
Recent Team Form
Houston (Last 10 Games):
7‑3 record
118.2 PPG scored / 110.4 PPG allowed
Shooting 48.7% FG, 37.9% 3PT
Fred VanVleet averaging 22.4 PPG, 8.1 APG over last 10
Houston is playing its best basketball of the season despite injuries.
Phoenix (Last 10 Games):
5‑5 record
114.1 PPG scored / 116.8 PPG allowed
Shooting 47.3% FG, 36.2% 3PT
Booker averaging 27.6 PPG over last 10 (if active)
Phoenix remains competitive but inconsistent without Durant.
Key Player Matchups
Fred VanVleet (HOU) vs. Devin Booker (PHX, if active)
VanVleet: 19.1 PPG, 8.3 APG, elite floor general
Booker: 26.8 PPG, elite shot creator
Edge: Phoenix (if Booker plays) — Booker’s scoring gravity is unmatched.
Edge: Houston (if Booker sits) — VanVleet controls pace and efficiency.
Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU) vs. Kevin Durant (PHX — OUT)
Smith: 15.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, strong two‑way forward
Durant: OUT
Edge: Houston — Smith’s size and shooting create matchup problems.
Cam Whitmore (HOU) vs. Grayson Allen (PHX)
Whitmore: 14.7 PPG, explosive slasher
Allen: 12.9 PPG, elite shooter
Edge: Even — Depends on pace and shot‑making.
Series History
Recent matchups:
Jan 22, 2026: Rockets 118–112 (HOU win)
Dec 11, 2025: Suns 124–119 (PHX win)
Mar 29, 2025: Rockets 121–110 (HOU win)
Jan 14, 2025: Suns 117–113 (PHX win)
Nov 30, 2024: Rockets 120–115 (HOU win)
Rockets lead 3–2 in the last 5 meetings.
Betting Trends
Houston Trends
7‑3 ATS in last 10
Overs hit in 6 of last 10
Elite late‑season form
Phoenix Trends
4‑6 ATS in last 10
Overs hit in 7 of last 10
Defense allowing 116+ PPG consistently
Matchup Trend
Last 4 meetings have gone Over
Combined average score: 119.4 – 115.0 (HOU)
Game Odds
Houston Rockets 220.5
Phoenix Suns – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026
